Out-of-county (other wildlife)

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

RE: Out-of-county (other wildlife)

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Afternoon on my Newchurch Patch, all on Shemmy Moss. Mild but mostly dull.

A Common Lizard was seen.

Just 3 Downy Emeralds were seen today, two in the usual ride and one a kilometer away.

A new moth for the year was Common Carpet. One Green Longhorn Moth was seen again.

An Early Bumblebee was new for 2026.

A Sericomyia lappona Hoverfly was again on the mosses.

Another Blue Willow Beetle was seen.

A Neriene peltata Spider was a totally new one for patch.

A Pinecone Cap fungus (Strobilurus tenacellus) was new for the year, seen under pines as expected.

A new plant in flower was a Yellow Azalea (Rhododendron luteum) by the nursery approach road, a garden escape. Even more unwelcome Himalayan Balsam was officially photographed today, it is running riot along the edges of Shemmy Moss.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 12th of May 2026 11:59:49 AM

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Morning and afternoon on my Newchurch Patch on a sunny, warm day. Afternoon spent with great friends and fellow wild-lifers Jen and Tim, fabulous company!

There were 8 Butterflies seen today with the biggest surprise being 3 Green Hairstreaks on Shemmy Moss, I really thought that they had gone over, but they are still just hanging on! There were 2 Painted Ladys on Shemmy Moss but neither lingered for photos! A Red Admiral was in Big Pool east meadows. An Orange-tip egg was found on Garlic Mustard on Shemmy Moss.

A brilliant odonata day. Two new damselfly species were in Big Pool east meadows. First 2 Red-eyed Damselflies and then a single Blue-tailed Damselfly. Also in the meadows 65 Common Blue Damselflies were counted. Over on Shemmy Moss an amazing 550 Large Red Damselflies and 45 Azure Damselflies were seen. There were still 5 Downy Emeralds but numbers are now down. This was my first 6 odonata species day of the year.

A Turnip Moth was a new species on Shemmy Moss as were 3 Mottled Umber caterpillars and a Feathered Thorn caterpillar.

A Bilberry Mining Bee was on Shemmy Moss as was a Grey-backed Mining Bee, both new for the year. A Coppice Mining Bee (Andrena helvola) on Shemmy Moss was a lifer species for me, the first patch record. A Rhogogaster chlorosoma Sawfly was new whilst 6 Bramble Sawflies were repeats, all on Shemmy Moss.

A Cheilosia albitarsus hoverfly was new and in Big Pool east meadows. A Pipizella species hoverfly (likely P.viduata)was also new and was on Shemmy Moss.

A Common Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus) was on Shemmy Moss, new for 2026. Blue Willow Beetle was on Shemmy Moss and new as was Willow Flea Beetle, a Crepidodera fulvicornis Flea Beetle and Plateumaris discolor. The soldier Beetles Cantharis rustica and Rhagonycha lignosa were both on Shemmy Moss and new for 2026. A mating pair of Small Nettle Weevils Nedyus quadrimaculatus were on Shemmy Moss and a lifer species for me. A Calocoris alpestris nymph was a new bug for the year along Newchurch main track. There were 4 Harlequin Ladybirds, a 14-spot Ladybird and 8x 7-spot Ladybirds on Shemmy Moss, all repeat sightings.

A Red Velvet Mite (Trombidiidae species) was on Shemmy Moss and again a new species here.

Japanese Rose was in flower along Newchurch main track and 4 Broom bushes were flowering around Big Pool.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 11th of May 2026 12:27:37 PM

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Another morning on my Newchurch Patch. Overcast and mild.

After the first yesterday I had 2 Winter Moth caterpillars today, both on Newchurch Common itself.

A new record was Bramble Sawfly (Arge cyanocrocea), with an adult on Shemmy Moss and a larva near Gull Pool.

A Tetragnatha species spider was on Shemmy Moss, new for the year.

The following were all repeat sightings:

A Harlequin Ladybird of the form conspicua was near Gull Pool.

A Garden Snail was photographed by Shemmy Moss.

A Native Bluebell was near Small Pool.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 9th of May 2026 02:54:16 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A morning on my Newchurch Patch, overcast and warm.

No butterflies or odonata of note. But there was a new moth species, with a Winter Moth caterpillar found on an oak near Gull Pool.

There were 10 Oak Marble Galls (of the gall-wasp Andricus kollari) on oaks on Shemmy Moss. A Crypteffigies lanius Ichneumon was seen again, this time near Gull Pool.

A new beetle today was Plateumaris sericea by Shemmy Moss. Nearby 2 Red-and-Black Froghoppers were also seen for the first time this year.

An Empis tessellata dagger fly was again photographed on Shemmy Moss.

There were 5 Rilaena triangularis harvestmen again, by Shemmy Moss.

New flowers today were Common Bird's-Foot Trefoil and Common Vetch, both on Shemmy Moss. Two repeats were 25 Fringecups, now flowering, east of Small Pool, and 20 Creeping Buttercups by Finch Hedge.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 8th of May 2026 04:46:46 PM

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On my Newchurch Patch pm, sunny intervals and warm.

There were 2 Rabbits in a field by Lymm Vale, a scarcity these days!

Only a few butterflies, the best being a Red Admiral in Big Pool east meadows.

The main odonata news was a count of 65 Common Blue Damselflies on near Big Pool.

A Silver Ground Carpet moth was on Shemmy Moss.

The first Crypteffigies lanius Ichneumon was by the main track near Finch Hedge. An Orange-tailed Mining Bee was in Big Pool east meadows.

The first 3 Helophilus pendulus hoverflies were in Big Pool Island Cut.

A Polydrusus formosus weevil was in Big Pool Island Cut. At least 6 Green Shieldbugs were in Big Pool Island Cut.

A Common Stiletto Fly (Thereva nobilitata) was on Shemmy Moss, new for 2026. A Prionocera turcica cranefly was new, in Big Pool Island Cut, as was a Tipula varipennis cranefly on Shemmy Moss. A Hebecnema housefly species was in Big Pool Island Cut, and was also new for 2026.

Another Cucumber Spider was seen, this time in Big Pool Island Cut.

Three snails were IDed today, the first Hairy Snail, by Finch Hedge, the first Girdled Snail, in Big Pool Island Cut, and the first White-lipped Snail, also in Island Cut.

A group of 4 Pleated Inkcaps in Big Pool Island Cut were a repeat species for the year.

A new flower was seen near the barrier entrance, 8 Garden Star-of-Bethlehem garden escapes. Around 200 Spring Beauty plants were in flower near Small Pool still.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On my Newchurch Patch am, warm and some sun.

A Common Lizard was basking on Shemmy Moss.

Eight species of butterflies seen with the highlights being the first Small Copper of the year on Shemmy Moss and a Painted Lady nearby.

The first five-odonata day of 2026 with the first 2 Azure Damselflies on Shemmy Moss. Just 2 Downy Emeralds were on Shemmy plus 60 Large Red Damselflies and a Four-spotted Chaser. In Big Pool east meadows there were 6 Common Blue Damselflies.

The first Common Nettle-tap Moth was near Big Pool. The first Yellow-tail Moth caterpillar was near Gull Pool on the Whitegate Way.

A Tawny Mining Bee was in Big Pool Island Cut, a repeat species. The sawfly Tenthredo livida was a new species, on Shemmy Moss. Around 25 Red Pea Galls made by the parasitic wasp Cynips divisa were on an oak by Gull Pool on the Whitegate Way.

There were six 14-spot Ladybirds in one nettlebed by Shemmy Moss. A Dock Bug was also photographed again, this time by Shemmy Moss.

A good day for flies. The nationally rare Broad-headed Horsefly (Hybomitra lurida) was on Shemmy Moss, amazingly my second here, the previous one being in 2024, and accepted by the national recorder for diptera. The striking fly Phasia hemiptera was also seen on Shemmy Moss as were 5 Empis tessellata flies, all new for 2026. The first Tachina fera of the year was in Big Pool Island Cut.

The Spring Harvestman (Rilaena triangularis) was on Shemmy Moss, new for the year. But a repeat here was a Cucumber Spider.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 6th of May 2026 09:30:42 PM

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A morning on my Newchurch Patch, overcast, cooler and even a hint of rain in the air.

An adult Wood Mouse was seen on the Common Farm Loop and with patience I sat and eventually got phone pictures of it!

Despite the colder weather 2 Common Blue Damselflies and a Large Red Damselfly were seen, all in Big Pool SW Glade.

A well-grown Scarlet Tiger Caterpillar was found due to all the frass in its vicinity!

A new bee for patch was a Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis) in Big Pool SW Glade where a new species for the year was also seen, namely Orange-tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa). A Nomad Bee in the same glade was tentatively IDed as Marsham's Nomad Bee (Nomada marshamella), new for 2026.

A Brassica Shieldbug and a Dock Bug were again seen in Big Pool SW Glade.

Common Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) was photographed in flower for the first time this year, again in the SW Glade.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 5th of May 2026 05:06:35 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On the mosslands part of my Newchurch Patch this afternoon, hot with sun and cloud.

There were 2 Common Lizards basking in the sunshine.

Great to see 9 species of butterfly again and even better that one was a new species for the year. This was a Painted Lady, seen flying over the bracken on Shemmy Moss but it never stopped.

Today 12 Downy Emeralds were seen with a pair 'in cop'. Another Four-spotted Chaser was seen flying over the nursery entrance road, but like the others it never landed. The first 2 Common Blue Damselflies on the mosses were seen today.

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Morning on my Newchurch Patch, sunny and warm.

A similar mix of butterflies around the pools, minus Green Hairstreak!

A female Downy Emerald was in Big Pool east meadows. There were 24 Common Blue Damselflies today, all teneral as before but with some showing a hint of 'blueing up'.

There were 29 Green Longhorn moths around an oak in Big Pool Island Cut, the first here this year.

A female Clarke's Mining Bee was by the main track between the pools.

A bumper day for shieldbugs today. In Big Pool SW Glade I had the first 2 Brassica Shieldbugs, mating, the first 3 Hairy Shieldbugs and the first Dock Bug. A repeat in the same area was a Green Shieldbug.

The first Cucumber Spider (prob. Araniella cucurbitina) was seen by the main track between the pools.

The first Field Pansy was seen in flower in Big Pool SW Glade.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 1st of May 2026 04:49:24 PM

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Morning and afternoon on my Newchurch Patch, hot and sunny.

In the breeding bay of Small Pool there were 64 Mirror Carp loafing around near the surface of the pool.

My first 9 species of butterfly day of the year today. The highlights were the (last) Green Hairstreak on Shemmy Moss and 8 Holly Blues on Newchurch Common.

Today a total of 15 Downy Emeralds were seen, 13 on Shemmy Moss, 1 on Gull Pool and 1 on Newchurch Common. After the first yesterday I saw 6 Common Blue Damselflies today, all near Big Pool. An astonishing total of 202 Large Red Damselflies were seen today, 142 on Shemmy Moss, 50 near Gull Pool and 10 on Newchurch Common. This included 10 pairs in cop near Gull Pool.

There were 2 Green Nettle Weevils (Phyllobius pomaceus) in Big Pool Island Cut.

A Phaonia species House Fly was photographed.

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Sunny and hot on my Newchurch Patch with a strong warm breeze.

Again eight butterfly species with 3 Holly Blues and 3 Large Whites the highlights.

The first Common Blue Damselfly of the year was in Big Pool east meadows. There were 2 Four-spotted Chasers, one in Big Pol SW Glade and one on Shemmy Moss. On Shemmy Moss a good total of 19(12m) Downy Emeralds was seen. Totals of 40 Large Red Damselflies on Shemmy Moss and 30 Large Red Damselflies by Gull Pool were seen, completing a four species of odonata day, the first this year.

The first 2 Garden Carpet moths of the year were on Shemmy Moss.

Several new plants were in flower, all on Newchurch Common. There were 50 Wild Radish in Big Pool SW Glade along with a single White Campion. The first 10 Germander Speedwells were by Finch Hedge and 5 Nippleworts were by the main track past the pools. Of the 8 Common Twayblades seen today just one had a tine flower spike just emerging.

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A very short afternoon walk with three new inverts added to my Newchurch Patch 2026 List. Dull but dry.

A Tenthredinidae Sawfly species was in Big Pool east meadows, impossible to speciate without dissection.

A pair of Green Dock Beetles was mating in Big Pool east meadows. A Common Leaf Weevil (Phyllobius pyri) was also in Big Pool east meadows.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A warm and sunny day on my Newchurch Common Patch but a cool breeze blew at times.

Again eight butterfly species were seen including a late Green Hairstreak on Shemmy Moss. At least 8 Brimstones were on Newchurch Common.

There were 120 Large Red Damselflies in the hotspot areas of Shemmy Moss.

Around 260 Green Longhorn Moths were in display dance around several trees on Shemmy Moss.

The first Hornet of the year was flying along the northern arm of the Pine Belt.

A 14-spot Ladybird was on the main track near the entrance barrier.

A new flower species was 6 Ox-Eye Daisy in flower in the beetle bank in the field by the NE corner of the Pine Belt

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A warm afternoon on my Newchurch Patch but some cloudy intervals too.

Eight species of butterfly were seen, the best being 2 Speckled Woods and a Red Admiral on Newchurch Common and a Holly Blue on Shemmy Moss.

The first Four-spotted Chaser was seen on Shemmy Moss as well as still 3m Downy Emeralds.

A White X Pink Campion hybrid plant (Silene × hampeana) was in flower by Finch Hedge.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 26th of April 2026 05:01:28 PM

John Williams · Status: Offline

RSPB Marshside

Lots of butterflies around in the warm sunshine today, and every one

apart a single male Orange-Tip, was a Peacock.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A short stroll on my Newchurch Patch this afternoon, hot and sunny.

A large Bank Vole was on the north edge of Shemmy Moss.

Today 2 Downy Emeralds seen on Shemmy Moss, both in flight but presumably males again.

Having seen a probable in the last couple of days I looked specially for and found 28 Green Longhorn Moths (Adela reaumurella) display dancing in the sunshine in the crown of a oak tree. A couple came low enough for record photos to be taken!

Horse Chestnut trees are now in glorious flower. Two Creeping Buttercups (Ranunculus repens) in Big Pool east meadows were new for the year.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 24th of April 2026 03:44:37 PM

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Another afternoon in the sunshine on my Newchurch Patch. Hot when sheltered but cooler in the breeze.

The first 'unwelcome' large Red-eared Terrapin of the year was hauled out sunbathing on a Great Crested Grebes nest on Small Pool.

Around 200 Common Toad Tadpoles were in 'Dragonfly Bay' in Big Pool Island Cut.

On Newchurch alone 9 species of butterflies were seen, including a Small Tortoiseshell, a Speckled Wood, 3 Holly Blues, and 6(5m) Brimstones.

A single male Downy Emerald was on Shemmy Moss again.

An Anisodactyus binotatus ground beetle was on the main track near Finch Hedge, new for the patch altogether.

New plants seen were 65 Springbeauty (Claytonia virginica) on the east side of Small Pool with 6 Fringecups (Tellima grandiflora) nearby.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

An afternoon on my Newchurch Patch, hot & sunny.

An adult Rabbit was by Big Pool, they have been few and far between this year.

Again lots of butterflies. Near Big Pool I had 2 Speckled Woods, 2 Holly Blues, 4 Orange-tips, 3(2m) Brimstones, a Comma and 10+Peacocks. On Shemmy Moss I had 2 Green Hairstreaks, 2 Holly Blues, 5 Green-veined Whites, 9(8m) Orange-tips and 6 Peacocks.

The day's highlight was the first Downy Emerald (a male) on Shemmy Moss. There were 30 Large Red Damselflies on Shemmy Moss. The first Large Red Damselfly on Newchurch Common was in Big Pool Island Cut.

The first Green Longhorn Moth (Adela reaumurella) was by the main track on Newchurch between the two pools.

Two groups totalling 12 Flavous Nomad Bees (Nomada flava) were by the main track on Newchurch Common.

New hoverflies were a Sericomyia lappona on Shemmy Moss and a Dasysyrphus albostriatus on Newchurch by the main track. There were 2 Epistrophe eligans on Shemmy Moss, a new species there but a patch repeat.

Around 60 fruitworm beetles, most probably Byturus ochraceus, were in dandelion flowers on Newchurch along the main track. A striking black-and-red Cinnamon Bug (Corizus hyoscyami) was on Shemmy Moss.

Field Forget-me-Not (Myosotis arvensis) was by Shemmy Moss, and new for the year.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Sandbach Flashes

A Bank Vole was showing well on the small wooded embankment alongside
the main parking spot.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Morning on my Newchurch Patch, sunny and warm, just the 5mls today! Nice to have the company of drinking buddy Paul at first, on for invert photos, then fellow-patcher Dave later!

Again butterflies a-plenty. There were 6 Green Hairstreaks on Shemmy Moss and 15 Peacocks. A lone Small White was again here with 6 Green-veined Whites and 6 Orange-tips.

An emergence of 16 Large Red Damselflies were on Shemmy Moss with 5 Large Red Damselflies on Gull Pool.

The first ever (fem) Hairy-footed Flower Bee was on Shemmy Moss, but not photographed.

Two new hoverflies added were Leucozona lucorum andDasysyrphus tricuntus, both on Shemmy Moss.

Two new beetles were also added on Shemmy Moss, a Common Darkling Beetle (Nalassus laevioctostriatus) and a cereal beetle species Oulema duftschmidi/melanopus agg.

Around 20 St.Mark's Flies were on the wing on Shemmy Moss.

A Gorse Orb-weaver Spider (Agalenatea redii) was on Shemmy Moss.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Am and pm on my Newchurch Patch, 8.3mls in mainly warm sunshine.

A fabulous sighting was a 3.5 foot female Grass Snake in Big Pool east meadows, the first this year, seen basking and then hurrying off into a bramble patch. Dave & I agreed that it was the longest Grass Snake ever seen on patch and the girth on it was equally huge, a real bruiser of a snake!

Another great butterfly day. The first 2 Speckled Woods of the year were on Newchurch, 1 between the pools and the other on the Common Farm loop. On Newchurch 4 Holly Blues and 8m Orange-tips were seen as well as a male Brimstone, 8 Peacocks, a Large White, and a Small White. There were 5 Green Hairstreaks on Shemmy Moss but they now seem to be declining rapidly in number, going over early as our population here does do. The maximum count of 8 Green-veined Whites was also on Shemmy Moss as well as another 5m Orange-tips. So 9 species today!

The first 14-spot Ladybird was near Common Farm on Garlic Mustard.

A diminutive Pleated Inkcap fungus (Parasola plicatilis) was in Big Pool north meadow.

The first 25 Greater Celandines were in Flower on Novia Scotia Lane.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On Newchurch am, a bit shortened as folk were visiting to twitch and photograph the moth mentioned in the last post biggrin Sun at first, then spitting with rain!

Again 2 Green Hairstreaks were seen.

There were 2 Gorse Shield Bugs and at last I got a half decent photo!

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

In my moth trap in my Moulton garden this morning I had a moth that I'd not seen before. I checked and IDed it as Frosted Green (Polyploca ridens), a new moth for the garden. Further checks revealed it to be a Cheshire Mega with only 1 previous documented record, 118 years ago confuse That wasn't even in the county of Cheshire but fell within the recording Vice County, being in Trafford. Also that was found as a pupa and reared to discover what it was, and turned out to be Frosted Green. The pupa may have been transported to Trafford too, so the record isn't watertight. That makes mine the first ever adult found in the county, amazing!! All in my tidy but very wildlife-friendly garden!!

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 17th of April 2026 09:51:18 PM

dstrath · Status: Offline

A lovely pristine painted lady at outer hesketh this afternoon

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A 6ml walk am and pm on my Newchurch Patch, sunny and warm.

Lots of butterflies including the first Green Hairstreak inside Gull Pool Wood, with a Comma and a male Orange-tip also here. The first Large White of the year was flying along Finch Hedge. There were 4 Green Hairstreaks on Shemmy Moss as well as 12 Peacocks, 3(2m) Orange-tips, 4 Green-veined Whites and 1 Small White.

There were 4 Large Red Damselflies around Gull Pool, and one was photographed at last!

A nice iridescent green leaf beetle was on alder and IDed as Plagiosterna aenea, an alder specialist. Two weevils were seen, a Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus) north of the Pine Belt and a probable Pachyrhinus lethierryi at the car parking area.

All the flies seen were repeat sightings. A Dark-edged Bee-fly on Shemmy Moss was the first there this year. There were around 25 Bibio lanigerus on dandelions near Big Pool. There were 2 Alder Flies in Big Pool Island Cut.

A group of 20 Wood Sorrel in flower in the woods east of Small Pool were the first of the year. Another first were 25 Common Stork's-bill flowering on Shemmy Moss.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Morning on my Newchurch Common Patch, dry and bright mainly.

A lifer micromoth for me was a Common Spring Jewel (Dyseriocrania subpurpurella), on a leaf by Shemmy Moss.

A new hoverfly for the year was the bumblebee mimic Eristalis intricaria, one in Big Pool Island Cut and two in Gull Pool Wood.

A new beetle was the impressively beautiful Violet Ground Beetle species Carabus problematicus, found under a log by Shemmy Moss.

An Alder Fly was new too, by the main track between the fishing pools.

Three plants were in flower so officially added to the patch list today, Garlic Mustard, Hawthorn and Wild Cherry, all numerous on Newchurch Common proper.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Doc Brewster wrote:
This evening I put out Hedgehog food and we had the first Hedgehog of the year visiting it, in our Moulton garden, near Northwich.

Tonight was the first night we could definitively say 2 Hedgehogs are now coming to the food & water put out for them in our garden in Moulton, Northwich. Previously one has been recorded each night since we started re-feeding.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 13th of April 2026 10:19:23 PM

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Late morning on the mosslands section of my Newchurch Patch. Sunny, warm until clouds came over. Then back on briefly pm due to it being sunnier and warmer.

A Common Lizard was basking pm and allowed very close approach for a photograph.

The butterflies of note today, A new species for the year was a single Small White by the nursery entrance road. Other counts included 18 Green Hairstreaks, 12 Green-veined Whites, 10 Peacocks, 6 male Orange-tips and a Small Tortoiseshell. In total 48 butterflies of 6 species.

Just outside the patch boundary were a female Holly Blue and a male Brimstone at Nunsmere., making it an 8 species day!

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 13th of April 2026 09:17:39 PM

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On Newchurch Patch am, rainy and sunny!

A new plant, Yellow-flowered Strawberry (Potentilla indica) was identified. Wood Avens (Geum urbanum) was also added for the year. Both were photographed on the northern edge of Shemmy Moss.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A morning on Newchurch, dry, sunny but cool.

Just a couple of sightings, both new fopr 2026.

First a Flat-backed Millipede (Polydesmus angustus) was under a log in Gull Pool Wood.

A crust fungus, Bleeding Broadleaf Crust (Stereum rugosum) was on a tee in Gull Pool Wood.

John O'Neill · Status: Offline

1st Speckled Wood of year for me today in my Penketh garden

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

An afternoon on my Newchurch Patch, sunny but cooler.

Just a handful of butterflies, the best being 11 Green Hairstreaks on Shemmy Moss. Also seen were 2 Green-veined Whites and 2 Peacocks, all also on Shemmy Moss.

The first odonata species was recorded with 2 Large Red Damselflies by Gull Pool.

A Sweat Bee species (Lassioglossum sp.) was by the main track on Newchurch Common.

New hoverflies were 5 Epistrophe elegans and 5 Syrphus species, all in Big Pool SW Glade. A repeat species was 10 White-footed Hoverflies by Newchurch main track, all on dandelions.

Common Field Speedwell was by the main track near Finch Hedge.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Morning on Newchurch, mild but cloudy and drizzle later.

On Shemmy Moss two small 'piles' of Red Fox droppings were found. Not the first for this species this year but new for the location.

A single Palmate Newt and a single Smooth Newt were under the same log in Gull Pool Wood, both repeat sightings here.

There were around 75 Whirlygig Beetles in Big Pool Island Cut, new for 2026.

The first small leaves of 12 Common Twayblades were in Big Pool Island Cut Woods where they usually are.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 9th of April 2026 06:02:27 PM

John Williams · Status: Offline

Callands, Warrington

Singles of Holly Blue and male Orange Tip butterflies seen in my garden today.

Both were first sightings for 2026 here.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

All day on my Newchurch Patch, hot & sunny.

A Common Lizard was on Shemmy Moss again.

There were 4 Common Frogs under logs in Gull Pool Wood.

Another good butterfly day with 66 butterflies of 5 species seen. A total of 23 Green-veined Whites were made up of 21 on Shemmy Moss and 2 on Newchurch Common. All 19 Green Hairstreaks seen were on Shemmy Moss. A total of 18 Peacocks were 12 on Shemmy Moss, 5 on Newchurch Common and 1 in Gull Pool Wood. a total of 4 Orange-tips were 2 on Shemmy Moss and 2 on Newchurch Common which included my first female of the year. Just 2 Commas were seen, both on Shemmy Moss.

The first 4 Common Heath moths of the year were flying on Newchurch Common.

Today 5 Green Tiger Beetles were seen on Shemmy Moss.

A Pirata piraticus wolf spider was on Shemmy Moss and was new for the year.

The first 6 St.George's Mushrooms were on the south side of Big Pool in a usual spot.

Around 50 Hare's-tail Cottongrass plants were in 'full fluff' on Shemmy Moss. There were 10 hybrid Bluebells (Hyacinthoides x massartiana) the east side of Small Pool by the footpath. By the same path were 20 'Bavarian' Violets, a hybrid of Early Dog Violet and Dog Violet named Viola x bavarica.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 9th of April 2026 01:38:36 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Hot & sunny on my Newchurch Patch am & pm again today. Showing Butterfly Conservation around as guests today, we all had a great day.

A total of 30 Green Hairstreaks were seen on Shemmy Moss, our main target with my BC guests, didn't disappoint at all! A toatal of 22 Peacocks were distributed as 14 on Newchurch Common and 8 on Shemmy Moss. A good total of 10 Green-veined Whites made up of 6 on Newchurch Common and 4 on Shemmy Moss. There were 3m Orange-tips on Newchurch Common and 3 Brimstones, 2 on Newchurch and 1 on Shemmy Moss. A single Comma was on Newchurch Common in the east meadows. Leaving the best till last the first Holly Blue of the year was in Big Pool Island Cut pm. so 70 individual butterflies of 7 species were seen, amazing!

The first Chrysotoxum bicinctum hoverfly was seen, but not photographed, in Big Pool east meadows.

The first Alder Leaf Beetle was also in Big Pool east Meadows. A repeat sighting but significant due to the numbers were 12 Green Tiger Beetles on Shemmy Moss. The first Green Shieldbug was on Big Pool east meadows.

On Newchurch Common by the main track between the pool the first one of the small patch of Native Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) was in flower. The first Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) were also in flower, on Sandy Lane.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 7th of April 2026 10:27:34 PM

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On the mossland part of my Newchurch patch both am and pm in warm sunshine, but breezy too.

A first for the year was a Bank Vole, under a tarpaulin I lifted on the north part of Shemmy Moss.

Another first was a Common Lizard basking on a flattened area of dead bracken near to the Bank Vole site.

It was a fantastic butterfly day with 36 individuals of 7 species seen, including two species new for the year. The new butterflies were a male Orange-tip and a Green-veined White, both on the north edge of Shemmy Moss. Another highlight were 19 Green Hairstreaks scattered across the mosses. There were also 2 Small Tortoiseshells, a Comma and a male Brimstone as well as 11 Peacocks, all on Shemmy Moss.

A single Orange Underwing moth was seen in birch trees on the eastern part of Shemmy Moss.

Two new mining bees were seen, both on the north edge of Shemmy Moss, a Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica) and a Grey-backed Mining Bee (Andrena vaga). Repeats were a Common Carder Bee and a Nomad Bee species (probably Early Nomad Bee), both again on the north edge of Shemmy.

A new hoverfly, Eupodes luniger, was by the track between Shemmy and the nursery fields.

The first Green Tiger Beetle of the year was on a heather area of Shemmy whilst a repeat sighting of Poecilus cupreus (carabid beetle) was on one of the tracks.

There were 3 Oregon-grape plants in flower by the road past Nunsmere, a garden escape.

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On my Newchurch Patch mosslands in hazy sunshine pm today.

My first White-tailed Bumblebee was on Shemmy Moss on dandelions, the usual area for them on my patch.

A new group of 6 Coltsfoot plants was by the nursery approach road.

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Dull and mild on my Newchurch patch pm, so not a lot!

Just new plants to add, all in flower. First was a group of 6 Wood Forget-me-Not east of Small Pool. Next a single Herb Robert plant was in flower near Common Farm. Finally an invasive Norway Maple tree was by the horse paddocks at the southern end of Sandy Lane.

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An interesting afternoon on my Newchurch Patch split between the pools and the mosses. Sunny and warm.

A male Brimstone and 2 Peacocks were seen, all in Big Pool east meadows.

A new bee, Tawny Mining Bee was seen but flew off before it could be photographed. A Common Wasp did stay and was photographed as another new hymenopteran for 2026. Both were in Big Pool north meadow.

The first Harlequin Ladybird was in Big Pool north meadow. Also here was the first Gorse Shieldbug of the year.

A new species of fly for the year were 6 Bibio lanigerus in Big Pool north meadow.In the east meadows a repeat sighting were 2 Dark-edged Bee-flies.

Two new spider species were seen in Big Pool north meadow. The first was a female Furrow Orb-weaver, with a female Metellina mengei in the same gorse bush.

White Dead-nettle was in flower near the main track just inside the entrance barrier from Novia Scotia Lane.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 31st of March 2026 09:58:17 PM

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Two visits to Newchurch today, am and pm, dry for both and mild.

There were 14 Scarlet Tiger caterpillars seen in a short search of Big Pool SW Glade today.

A new Sawfly for me ever was Aglaostigma aucupariae, sometimes called Dark-vented Bedstraw Sawfly, found nestled in a garlic mustard plant by the main track west of both pools.

Two new millipedes were under the same log by Shemmy Moss. The first was a species never seen before, Blunt-tailed Snake Millipede (Cylindroiulus punctatus) and the second was one found annually, White-legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger).

A new fungus was Violet Bramble Rust (Phragmidium violaceum), found by Shemmy Moss on at least 30 bramble leaves.

Also by Shemmy Moss were around 400 Yellow Archangel plants, many starting to flower.

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On Newchurch pm, fine & dry.

Just one very notable sighting, 26 Scarlet Tiger caterpillars in the Big Pool SW Glade. This is easily the largest number seen here. They were on Comfrey, Alkanet, Nettle and Dock!!

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On my Newchurch Patch pm, cool, dry and bright.

Just two invert reports. First a Clusterfly species, probably Awkward Clusterfly (Pollenia rudis) was on Shemmy Moss, the first Pollenia assigned to species this year. Also 4 White-footed Hoverflies (Platycheirus albimanus) were on Shemmy Moss, a repeat patch species but for a new location.

The first 30 Coltsfoot in flower were near Nunsmere.

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Morning on Newchurch dull, dry and mild.

At Big Pool a new fish species recorded was a small Bream, which an adult Great Crested Grebe offered to its chicks before realising that it was far too big and swallowing it themselves!

In Big Pool SW Glade 3 Scarlet Tiger Moth caterpillars were on Green Alkanet, larger than the caterpillars found previously this year. Also in the glade were moth leafmines on bramble which have to be officially recorded as 9 Stigmella aurella/splendidissimella moth mines, but in all probability were all S.aurella mines.

A new bee was added in the shape of a queen Garden Bumblebee, in the Big Pool SW Glade.

At least 4 Tapered Droneflies were again on the wing, all in Big Pool east meadows.

A new plant recorded was a Redcurrant bush by the main track between the pools. A count of 45 Green Alkanet plants was made in Big Poool SW Glade.

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Dull, dry and mild on my Newchurch WeBS Count.

The only non-bird was a medium sized Perch in the beak of a Great Crested Grebe!

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A long afternoon on my Newchurch patch in warm sunshine.

In a usual breeding site in Big Pool 3 Common Toads were seen, a pair plus one! Also in the same area were at least 15 strings of Toadspawn.

At least 20 Mirror Carp, all huge beasts, were in a bay where they traditionally breed and spawn in Small Pool.

Another good butterfly day with the year high count of 12 Green Hairstreaks seen, on Shemmy Moss. Also seen were 7 Peacocks, 3 Commas and 3 Brimstones.

There were 2 Orange Underwing Moths still on Shemmy Moss.

The first patch queen Red-tailed Bumblebee was in the Big Pool SW Glade and the first Common Carder Bee was on Shemmy Moss.

The first 3 Dark-edged Bee-Flies (Bombylius major) of the year for me were in Big Pool east meadows.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 21st of March 2026 04:43:50 PM

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On my Newchurch Patch in Big Pool area pm, sun and no breeze but not as hot and some high cloud later.

Another good butterfly day with 5 species again. New for the year was a Red Admiral in Big Pool SW Glade. Also in the glade was a Small Tortoiseshell. A total of 12 Peacocks were seen as well as 7 Commas and 2m Brimstones.

A queen Tree Bumblebee flew past, new for 2026 on patch. The first Honey Bee was also seen in the meadows. A repeat, but in greater numbers, were 12 Early Nomad Bees in Big Pool SW Glade.

A White-footed Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus) was on gorse in the east meadow, the first this year and only the second hoverfly species.

A total of 14 7-spot Ladybirds were along the main track and in the SW Glade.

A Brown-lipped Snail was by the main track between the two pools, new for the year.

Around 130 Glistening Inkcaps (Coprinellus micaceus) were by Big Pool Island Cut, new for 2026.

Two plants in flower were formally recorded and photographed for 2026, namely Common Daisy and Common Dandelion.

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This evening I put out Hedgehog food and we had the first Hedgehog of the year visiting it, in our Moulton garden, near Northwich.

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Hot and sunny on Newchurch this afternoon.

The big reward were the first 2 Green Hairstreaks of the year, one in Big Pool SW Glade and the other on Shemmy Moss. This is probably the first of the year anywhere in the UK and possibly the second earliest ever in the UK! The Big Pool one is also my first ever away from the mosslands area. Also a first was a Small Tortoiseshell on Shemmy Moss. Other butterflies were 24 Peacocks, 5 Commas and 4m Brimstones. So 36 butterflies of 5 species, an amazing day!

Another 3 Orange Underwing moths were seen, all on Shemmy Moss.

A new beetle was found near the parking area, a tiny Water Scavenger Beetle species (Hydrophilidae sp.).

Two new fungi for the year were both on the former leek field, 46 Common Dung Cups (Peziza vesiculosa) on a dung heap and nearby a lone Hare's Foot Inkcap (Coprinopsis lagopus).

New plants were Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) and Sun Spurge (Euphorbia helioscopia).